If you enjoyed this video then hop over and watch us fit one of the big side windows HERE kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gMtlmLqdqdHZeX0.html
@robertcanning18882 жыл бұрын
That idea is priceless. Gas struts could fail due to dirt, while going at 106 lol . youre idea is a lot more secure and saves £200 well done
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Cheers buddy . It’s simple and works very well
@robertcanning18882 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife and why reverse the tilt . just move the van to get the sun onto the panels
@his.purpose3 жыл бұрын
Amazing! Im in the planning process for building a 4'x8' unistrut roof rack on my 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 7.4L, and you just gave me the solution to correcting my roof angle! Heavy duty hinges! Absolutely beautiful! You're so awesome and you need to keep your mate. She's a keeper because she still laughs at your humor. I just subscribed! Be well and be blessed!
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
thanks buddy welcome to the mad house , and yer shes a giggler for sure , i dont know if she laughs at me or with me im yet to figure that one out , and hey man a 7.4 ltr wow thats a big one
@his.purpose3 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife Sully is a great truck too! I got a really sweet deal on him. $1,100 USD with under 100k on the ticker! Barely broken in! 🤓 👍 💯
@OverlandOne Жыл бұрын
Very nice job. Easy, inexpensive and highly functional. Thanks for the tips. I think I am going to do this. Also, I think if you make your angle holding struts 2 piece (One size large enough for the other piece to slide into) and drilled a few holes along the length then you would have angle adjustment options by just pulling a wing nut off and lowering it or raising it to the next hole.
@RustyCas999 Жыл бұрын
Nice simple way to mount your panels. I’ll likely use that idea but that’s a pretty cumbersome process for deploying them. Also the angle should ideally be adjustable as a slight change can make a big difference in power output.
@LaunchPadAstronomy4 жыл бұрын
This is so fun to watch, and I like the simplicity of your solar panel supports.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
Yer me to mate I was going all fancy but simple wins . Simple is also stronger as well which is kind of a good thing
@lostoffgrid2 жыл бұрын
Mate, I've literally just ordered my solar panels today, I was just gonna bolt them to the uni strut, but now I seen your tilted big knob screwing thing, you ledge, I love it
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Lol screw fix fire hinges my friend and a little diy and boom . Thanks for the complement mate hope you get a happy tilt
@joatmofa04052 жыл бұрын
"Thinking outside the box!" Yep, you did indeed & I can now safely use my unistrut, springnuts, hinges, rivnuts, square tubing and limited welding skills to make something similar - thanks to you & KZfaq! (edit) Mate, I don't think you know how clever your idea is - it is a stroke of genius - I (& other YT's) can't thank you enough! [subbed]
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for commenting and welcome aboard 😊😊
@roadking20095 ай бұрын
Great job on the tilting solar system 👏 👍
@UrbanVanlife5 ай бұрын
Thanks! 👍
@livinginthenow2 жыл бұрын
This is a great idea! My only worry would be forgetting they were tilted up and driving off with them that way. 😩😩😖😖
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
You could use it as a sail . Think of it like that .
@neiljemmerson88264 жыл бұрын
Quality good idea that the bars are one less thing to fail, might have been a good idea to make them open opposite just so you can catch the sun all day as it moves around. I love these videos no faffing around with calculations amd spreadsheets just crack on and overcome as you go. Also bit of blue for the dads I expected Benny Hill to come out n give Emma a hand to pass the panels up ha, keep it up this is one of my goto channels 👍
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
yer some one else mentioned that about having them able to tilt both ways and im going to look in to it to be honest its just a case of doing the same on both sides with the hinges and i wouldnt need the brackets i could just fasten down with 1 of the plastic screws in each side . ill have to check just how much cable there it . its 100% something ill be looking at in the next few weeks cos it makes sense
@eddiesmallhorn40214 жыл бұрын
It amazes me how you visualize every situation.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
yer my mind dose work in strange ways , but hey some times its good some its not
@BruceLauderdale4 жыл бұрын
I’ll take an Emma free any day! Did you notice how she didn’t laugh when you said the screwing knob would only take 5 minutes 😂😂😂
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
5 min then a snax break then another 5 , what more dose a woman want ,
@emmaurbanvanlife1204 жыл бұрын
Urban Explorer more snax 😋
@BeanieDraws4 жыл бұрын
The banter in this video gave me a much needed smile. Loved the choice in music too. There's something really satisfying about watching things line up. "to get the hot shiny thing"
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
Man that hot shiney thing is so good . It just makes things better . Glad you enjoyed the stupidity
@DutyRon4 жыл бұрын
Another great video 📹 you always overcome obstacles Neil hope to see you soon.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
thnak you my friend i just have one of them minds that thinks out side the box , hope you and the family are safe and keeping out of trouble sir
@T8RTU4 жыл бұрын
Another great job guys! Finding practical solutions that are simple and low cost (even better) and look totally cool too 😎👍
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
I love it when low cost just works well mate . Come times we don’t look at the obvious . Thanks for watching mate
@KangaAndTwoRoos3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for making this video. I am wanting to put tilting solar panels on the side of my van. I think I can use this idea on the side.😎🤩🤗😍😎
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy . Yer it really dose not have to be complicated dose it . Some times keeping it simple just works
@maninavan.2043 Жыл бұрын
Your lady is awesome... Great couple.
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
Awww thanks 😊
@danemmerich677510 ай бұрын
Great video. Do you know what the best angle should be used? Winter and summer? Love your humor. Reminds me of Benny Hill.
@UrbanVanlife10 ай бұрын
There is no specific best angle . It’s all depends on your position and the sun . Sometimes raise in the solar by 6 inches can give you treble the input as can 3ft raise . Best thing to do is check the solar input while your tilting . We have now fitted ours to actuators so we can see what’s going in while we raise them
@MitchOfCanada3 жыл бұрын
love it rivet nuts are so badass. planning my 1400kw cargo trailer loved the hinge and strut
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
yer man putting them on hinges just make sense for us and was easy and cheep but really strong as well , thanks for watching bud
@maninavan.2043 Жыл бұрын
Will be looking to do this, but at the moment looking to get another 100w panel then I'll be on it. Thanks for the video upload. Always I good laugh to watch
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy
@BackroadsArtStudio3 жыл бұрын
Great video. I think the ability to tilt is so much better than the flat I have. Great to meet you! Sherry
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sherry and yes TOTALY agree it just gives you option dosnt it . Thanks for watching
@petejackson8994 жыл бұрын
Loving watching the videos, I’m on second van build now and still enjoy them love too see all the different ideas, keep up the good work! Respect from Scotland 🏴
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate as soon as the new vans build scotland is the first place we are heading to . It should be nice if scotland was double the size . It’s one of our top fave country’s in Europe so so stunning
@petejackson8994 жыл бұрын
urban explorer prob best your not here coming just now, the midgies are biblical this year! But yeah it is a beautiful place even in the rain lol
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
oh mate we did ben nevis a few years back and wow iv never felt any thing like it , them things ate us alive so bad , people use to tell me about the midgies in scotland and i was always like meh there not that bad , oh boy they are like so bad , i dont think iv been to a place as bad , but personally i think its a good thing it keeps the southerners out of scotland lol
@versa02 жыл бұрын
Great vid and idea. Learnt a lot as been thinking about vanlife a lot.
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful, thank you for watching we appreciate it! We love having the van as it gives us the freedom to just pack up and go!
@versa02 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife I totally agree as I love driving and travelling to new places, O Tell Neil its nice to see a fellow DJ doing this vanlife as well. And yes I am also a DJ/internet radio presenter. Been a DJ for about 20 + years, but tend to prefer my internet radio shows. I will defiantly be tuning into you guys later.
@widearchshark3981 Жыл бұрын
Nice idea. I'm trying to think of a way to get a two-way "swivel" so you're not forced (in your case) to point the van West. Or maybe a four-way swivel? Am I asking too much ?!
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
Let me know how you get on . It can be done but we’ll above may paybgrade that one lol
@RustyCas999 Жыл бұрын
You might consider building a lightweight, low-profile frame (1” square tubing) that fits under your panels. Then you have a crossbar at the front and back that the “frame” attaches to. Use a bracket at each corner with a spring loaded “pivot pin” - I’ve seen these U-shaped and you pull the pin out and rotate it so that it stays retracted. You just pull (retract) the pins on the right or left side, and lift that side up. You only have to access one side to raise or lower the panels.
@sandponics3 жыл бұрын
Great solution, far better than gas struts and actuators, keep it simple. Although, I think I might try to make elbowed struts out of channels that remain attached to the panels and fold down in two sections, with a bolt that keeps them straight and solid when extended.
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
You have given me a great idea there I could hinge the stays in place and then just bolt them down to the unistrut . Ohhhh I like that idea roll on tomorow
@sandponics3 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife Consider the following: If you had the panels bolted together on the unhinged end using a length of aluminum channel or angle, and then had two struts that are each fastened with semi-loose pins to the outer corners of the panels (or the channel), and had the van end of these struts fastened to sliding pins in a suitable channel on the van. Then with some sort of winding mechanism that pushes the van end of the struts away from each other along the channel, it may possible (if well-engineered) to raise the panels to the desired height as the van end of the struts are pushed apart. Pulling the van end of struts toward each other would possibly be easier to engineer, but would require a long channel for the van end of the struts to slide in. Or some sort of scissor jack type of arrangement may be feasible. I am in Australia and am converting a 20 seater bus, so am hoping to possibly have four or six panels, and am looking for some way to be able to tilt them without using electrical actuators etc. I will be interested to see what you are able to do on your van.
@3DPlasticFantasy4 жыл бұрын
Every time that van is growing more and more, those panels are beast. I wonder how the beds would look once you place them.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
ohhhh buddy instagram , lol i think you have seen them ,
@3DPlasticFantasy4 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife Sorry i missed a few of them apparently.
@ALana-wy5ql6 ай бұрын
It’s ganna werk, and it werks!!
@UrbanVanlife6 ай бұрын
It dose it dose
@bobbysbox67443 жыл бұрын
Absolutely brill. . Love your attitude. . Handy to know. Thanks Mr
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed the madness lol
@CoachHomeUK4 жыл бұрын
You two crack me up :D Your videos are getting better and better each time too.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
im just getting these ones out with beyond basic editing lol , i cant wait till i have something fancy and sexy to edit , i need to hurry up building this thing
@CoachHomeUK4 жыл бұрын
Urban Explorer feel your pain all I’ve got at the minute is grinding and welding, not much sexy about that. Well grinding maybe but a different kind 😂
@rexgeorg73244 жыл бұрын
Great Idea guys, but ..you could do with some sort of electronic warning device so you don't drive off with your solar panels up.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
i have one its called an Emma , but a small switch to the ignition would work , but I'm surly not that stupid , hold that comment I actually could be
@rexgeorg73244 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife It only takes once lol and i will hold this comment. lol
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
im tellling my self im not that stupid but its like just make it happen or youll be sorry
@CaliforniaBushman3 жыл бұрын
I'm framing a 30cm tall case across my van roof. With venting for smaller homemade fans and maybe a DC powered air conditioner (maxair, fantastic fans are too large). Between the venting will be airtight/watertight storage for surfboards, a kayak, and maybe a waterfoil board. On top of the case would be one or two tiltable solar arrays. Preferably a light one. Reinforced with alluminum, 4 - 5cm thick. Framed with a light wood with sealed plastic panels instead of metal/glass ones. And tiltable with a handcrank. No electric motors. But here's the thing. The whole array cranks over (pistons sliding to the edge inside a rail) out to 185 degrees! Forming an awning over the side doors supported with 3 to 5 telescoping poles. But now on top of it under the panel array is a light, sturdy deck to hang out on. And you can clean the panels from the ground! Now, on top of the van is another deck with plastic panels built into or adjacent to the storage lids. Here now, you have 1 to 2 kilowatts of solar. Enough to top off an electric vehicle or hybrid sitting for a few days, camping. If you smartly decide to install an electric or hybrid engine down the road someday. I'm throwing a few grand at this idea just to see if I can do it. Thanks for your build to give me this hairbrained scheme, if it's possible. I live on the road so it can be a drama project. That's fine. The storage space and increased solar is worth it. And maybe I'll go with cheaper panels like yours because they'll be light enough with piston support.
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a big job that mate . I know the o team have done a similar thing with storage under there solar
@CaliforniaBushman3 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlifeI have a nice old mechanically restored van ready to be built out. Never did a custom build. Can't wait.
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
@@CaliforniaBushman you haave all the ideas going on mate so I'm sure its going to be an epic build , I like the sound of storage under the solar but to be hinest we have more than enough in the van for us any way , but good luck with the build mate , its nice to hear people doing a thing and looking forward to stuff as well , youlkl have to follow us on insta so we can keep an eye on your build and see what your doing , if your on Instagram,
@MrER956 ай бұрын
Great video, subscribed! Hopefully you still check comments on older videos from time to time, but my question is: Now a considerable amount of time has passed and presumably you used this system a lot... Is there anything you would change about it in hindsight? Did you have any issues such as keeping the roof clean, issues with the rack over time, did you end up changing any part of it? Would be great to hear how it performed after using it! Will continue to check comments to see if this has already been answered, thanks for the great videos :-)
@UrbanVanlife6 ай бұрын
We do check comments . We have also today changed the roof as well. It’s kind of still the same but not . But like every van build the roof needs cleaning all the time and can be a pain but easy to do just takes time
@johnpeck11 Жыл бұрын
You could add two rivnuts for storage of the other bolts.
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
This needs to be done . Great idea
@runningformybestlife4 жыл бұрын
I love your humor and editing in these videos. 👍😂
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
thanks dude , and good luck with your journey mate your doing a great thing
@johnallan58212 жыл бұрын
Ur a thinker ok smart man ur video great pal keep up the good work 👍👍👍
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Oh mate I tinker with everything . I’m allways taking things Appart lol
@paidoluca2 жыл бұрын
I've just watched both videos - well done! I'll try to do myself. Where did you get those hinges from?
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
The hinges are fire door hinges that we got from screw fix, thanks for watching!
@martineedixhoven33892 жыл бұрын
Hi!! I'm so happy. I bought everything to put the rails on the roof. I will do it with rivnuts as well. Did you seal the bolts or the rivnuts and where? To prevent leaking water. Thanks !!!!!
@ant_hart3 жыл бұрын
Great idea man!! I’m jotting this one down 👍🏼 also.. the boingers!lol we call them Zebs like Zebedee off the magic roundabout in the trade ...”sprung slot nuts” is just plain boring!haha 👍🏼 thumbs up
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
hahaha totaly agree mate we need to make the boinger a national thing
@ant_hart3 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife just seen you do fridge magnets so naturally I had to purrr chase!lol 👍🏼👍🏼
@alibear572 жыл бұрын
I would love for you to make a video on how you use the rivnut tool. I see you have mentioned it a few times, but I'd like your advice on the right way to use it and the best kind to get. I love your videos btw, I've learned LOADS of tips from you, since I'm trying to do the things you've already done.
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
we only have a amazon special to be honest bud , and its realy simple to be honest you just see what size riv nut you need and drill the hole in and screw the nut on the gun thing , and then pull back the arms , kind of like use in a rivet gun but you can screw in to the rivet , cos its a rivet nut , i dont think you could go wrong to be honest mate , there are realy exspensive ones and cheep ones , but they seem to do the same thing , all i can say is the cheep on we have worked and we have had no problems with the rivet nuts we have put in , hope this helps but if not let me know and ill get emma to do a video , and we can all have a giggle watching her with a drill and riv nut gun , that actualy sounds like fun now im thinking of it
@stevelong6358 Жыл бұрын
great job mate. love your ideas..
@PaulPeck4 жыл бұрын
Your like Noah building the ark! 🔥👏🏻😂
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
lol now i wonder if the ark had solar . i bet it did
@HoopLifePH3 жыл бұрын
Outstanding job brother. I will apply this to my Sprinter.
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
thany you lemar im glad it helped mate , its an easy job and very inexpensive as well
@lawrencewatt72282 жыл бұрын
I’m lovin this. Will do this on my sprinter.
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Lawerence, we are actually in the process of changing ours over onto actuators at the moment but it’s been an interesting project 🙄😂
@sandywatson1082 Жыл бұрын
great idea but not for me on this idea but like the rails that you fit them on
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
Fair enough, that’s the beauty of self building, not everyone likes the same things 🙂
@AARON320V67 ай бұрын
Very smart what do you do if the sun is rising from the other side of the van ? Turn the van around ?
@Ghost_Os Жыл бұрын
Is it just me, or could you use hinges and knobs on both sides, thus enabling you to angle and prop it up in either direction?
@sasmicky71 Жыл бұрын
Niceone I'm just starting my sprinter project
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
Best of luck! And happy building 😊
@meowzic3 жыл бұрын
Would've loved to see how you installed the gas struts. Couldn't you have just bought cheaper less powerful struts?
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
i do need to re think the struts and get some less powefull ones , thanks for reminding me bud
@TubeTechie4 жыл бұрын
Good stuff Neil! I’m thinking those struts aren’t worth it either, what you ended up is way more reliable!!!
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
100% mate I’m not paying £200 for 4 light weight struts that would probably not be strong enough for side winds . But I’m well happy with what I ended up with mate
@sethwoot3 жыл бұрын
Awesomeness..im going to do the same..im thinking that the legs you made to raise it if they had two bends in the middle you could optionally criss cross mount them shorter for fall sun
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
yer the legs im still looking into , if i could make them extendable or even make it so they could be screwed in to the side at different heights this would massivly help
@ALYDAVIDSON1 Жыл бұрын
Hi, If you used bars with holes all the way down you can tilt the panels in multiple degrees
@louisbuchetto83032 жыл бұрын
Brilliant
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Louis
@Mr-Curious4 жыл бұрын
nice lowtech system. i might imitate that unistrut system. i hope this system is available locally here. Surprised me how cost effective it is.
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
i think its an all over the world kind of thing mate it may be called some thing diffrent but you should be able to get it , and man so so cheap
@Mr_Beagle2 жыл бұрын
Love this! Stupid question perhaps but how did you make your bars to hold up the panels? Grind off three sides of a bit of box section steel then bend the remainder over a bit? I don't know shit about metal work so had to ask 😂
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Basically just as you said mate it’s just box section I flattened the ends of and bent to the angle I needed . Pretty simple way of doing it but still works perfect
@Mr_Beagle2 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife Soz for the late reply, lost my own comment! 😂 Thanks mate that's very useful... tackling this over the next few days so good to know. Did you use steel or aluminium? I'm guessing steel would bend a little easier?
@passenger3 Жыл бұрын
Nice one Niel. Great job mate. DEFFO doing this.
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
It’s just pretty simple mate . I’m shocked more don’t do it to be honest
@MrMaximusQuintus Жыл бұрын
Absolutely 💌your channel, and I must say you are my favourite Scoucer on youtube.
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
I’ll take that thank you sir
@philjames25424 жыл бұрын
Top job buddy. Is there a way to hinge them both sides so you don't have to turn the van around to chase the falling sun?
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
yere man you could just replicate what you did on both sides , but for now I think we just going for that and if we need to move the van so be it , but you could actually do that , no I'm thinking , why did you ask this its the kind of thing ill do at 4am lol
@GrahamGphotoParker Жыл бұрын
Good job. What do you think the difference is on a sunny day between flat and tilted ? Cheers
@dougj3800 Жыл бұрын
Very resourceful solutions and with a bit of humor
@garymclay98853 жыл бұрын
Nice video. 👍
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍cheers for watching gary
@chrismills12093 жыл бұрын
Hello Mate, this is the best solution ive seen so far and looks much more stable than something like the renogy pre made ones yoj can buy. I will be copying with pride ☺. Can i ask where you purchased the uni strut, hinges, sprung nut things and the bars you used instead of pistons?cheers
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
The unistrut and the spring things for the unistrut I got off amazon mate it’s 41mm unistrut . The hinges I got from screw fix and there fire door hinges . And the bars I used are just box section I had lie in about they where is a old mobile dj lighting rig but I’m pretty sure you could use pretty much any thing to keep them up with a little imagination that all I did . And man copy away dude it’s just a simple idea that works . And yer we looked at a few tilting ideas and they all seemed to be pretty crap to be honest . Thanks for watching mate .
@chrismills12093 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife excellent, thank you mate. Look forward to seeing the build progress 👍
@hilarymackay32273 жыл бұрын
Bloody ingenious, I will be stealing your idea, so grateful xx
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Hey steal away that’s what daft ideas that work are there for . And thanks for watching .
@peterc23123 жыл бұрын
U2 are awesome, fun video your assistant is so cute 👍
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
I TOTALY agree Emma’s Assistsnt is lovely
@FreedomStrider4 жыл бұрын
Building a van is not hard, just takes time, dedication and research and a can do attitude
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
Hell yes yes yes . And a lot of energy . But it’s so nice when you finish and get to say I MADE THAT
@dillpatason66564 жыл бұрын
Great job mate
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
thnak you my friend
@brianmansell39358 ай бұрын
Hi, this is great!! Is there any potential problem from multiple panels being tied together through the metal rails and then into the metal van? Like could you get shocked touching the van or anything like that? Also is there any noise driving down the road from the wind flowing under the panels and through the unistruts? I have a normal little roof rack on my other vehicle and it sounds like flutes, dives me nuts lol Thanks!!
@UrbanVanlife8 ай бұрын
As long as your cables are all fine then you have zero chance of getting a chock . And ours have zero noise at all that was even before we put the roof rack on it . Like non
@wanderingbox79713 жыл бұрын
great stuff, the slotted channel is the game ganger, just have to make sure you always park the hinges south facing 🤙 have you made 2 lengths of tilt struts one for winter and one for summer?
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
I’m going to re do it soon cos I have a little idea so I’m saying nothing lol .
@wigglyeyess8 ай бұрын
Hi great video 👍Where did you buy those bars to hold the solar panel ? i couldnt find them online . Thabk you 🙏 Merry Christmas 🎄
@UrbanVanlife8 ай бұрын
The bars they are fixed to are called unistrut you’ll get them in loads of places but I think eBay is the cheapest
@wigglyeyess8 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for replying back . What I meant to ask you was about the black bars you use to tilt the solar panels toward the sun .is that black bar custom made ?
@michaelcanto61753 жыл бұрын
Pure Genius, Rugged n Ridged n Safe!
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy . Yer I don’t think there going any where
@Rickym4034 жыл бұрын
Great job mate an it didn’t have wallet thrown at it 👌🏻👍
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
iv seen so many people take the expensive rout and thought why are people not use in hinges ,
@roy.mclean3 жыл бұрын
Did you fabricate the supports to angle the panels? Id like to see that.. I like the solution for the hinges fitting in the unistrut. Genius.
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Yer mate the supports where just done 1inch box section I manipulated with a big hammer . It was the simple solution . We had all kind of ideas but kept it simple .
@Persto12082 жыл бұрын
genius!
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Why thank you sir 😀
@anthonyellis1409 Жыл бұрын
Dear Neil and Emma I have got to ask is more costly to run a van to a car. Like tax and insurance,
@UrbanVanlife Жыл бұрын
Errrrr no in fact for us it’s cheeper
@irishlandscapephotography2 жыл бұрын
Nice vid, where did you get the spring washers? Can't seem to find them online but might be searching for the wrong thing. Thanks
@emmaurbanvanlife1202 жыл бұрын
Hi ya, you can get them on Amazon, but they seem to have flow up in price, However you can shop around and have a look on websites such as JTM Plumbing, TLC Electrical, Digi-Key UK and ElectricalDirect they all sell them different sizes so make sure you know which ones you need
@irishlandscapephotography2 жыл бұрын
@@emmaurbanvanlife120 thanks
@Crusty_Camper2 жыл бұрын
That's great. We live on the England / Scotland border and spend a lot of time in Scotland, so we have thought of making our panels tilt, specially for winter. How have the solar panels themselves stood up to being used in this way for the time since you did it? Has anything worn or failed? Thanks, Pete
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
All still as good as the day we fitted them mate and a few have asked that . But Nop still work perfect mate . Defo a good idea to do and pretty simple as well
@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN3 жыл бұрын
Good job Guys 👍
@krispinktattoostudio19163 жыл бұрын
Could you of put hinges on those legs and have them fold under the panels
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Yes mate you sure could with ease as well
@JeffBromley3 жыл бұрын
Have you considered screen door pneumatic closers instead of gas struts? They have a locking mechanism to pin them open.
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Yes we did think of them but thought it’s just another thing to go wrong so decided on just leaving it to the hinges . Makes sense for us
@alanhat52522 жыл бұрын
could you have hinged your struts so you don't have to mess about taking them off & putting them on again?
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
We did but we just upgraded to actuators . Think it was our last video out
@koningbolo47002 жыл бұрын
putting the special do-dad brackets on the side of the corners of the panel will let you tilt the panels to either side depending on how you park... I do have to think about carrying a ladder in the van to tilt the panels into the sun to get to that late afternoon or early morning hot sheit... I have this ridiculous rule that every item I take has to serve at least 2 or 3 functions to be allowed on board...
@BEAdventurePartners3 жыл бұрын
Very cool design! We are thinking of making our solar panels tilt on our Skoolie and this video provides a great design for making that happen! Have you thought about a way to make it tilt in either direction (not just off one side)? That's what we're figuring out right now... Thanks for the insight! - Brian + Erin
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Hey guys you could hinge both sides with the same hinges abs just fix them down with the nuts with the handles on . On both sides and then you could lift them both ways
@BEAdventurePartners3 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife that’s what we were thinking could be a possibility! Like your idea for the fire rated hinges. They are stronger and the pins are set so they don’t fall out. Thanks for responding! - Brian + Erin
@howardmiller973 жыл бұрын
Maybe use a 12 volt actuator with a backup camera to inside to raise lower to position. Would not need to lock down either becuase acuators can hold alot of weight. I would mount under the solar panel so the span works better
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
iv thought of that bud , but my only issue is the weather , and with it being on top its out in the elements all the time , im just going to stick to the poles for now , there simple and easy and will never stop working
@skipsadventures2 жыл бұрын
Hi guys, hope you don’t mind me asking this,sorry if it’s been asked before. It’s been a while now since you did this and I wonder, how often do you tilt your panels?
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
We have tilted them quite a lot to be fair . Mainly if we are in places for a few days and know the vans not going to move . It takes a few min to do and you do get a lot more power . Plus gives me a chance to clean the panels . But it gets used and I’m glad we did it
@skipsadventures2 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife brilliant, thanks for the reply mate. Exactly what I’d hoped you would say. So worth doing? Cool, I’ll be doing mine too then. Cheers 👍
@mtbalot3 жыл бұрын
Superb! Uni-Strut what a great idea. This is the system Ive been looking for 3+ years. Hope to finish my Chevy Express next spring. What did u use to fasten the uni-strut? thanks :D
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
we just bolted it down with 15mm bolts in to riv nuts , trough the original holes in the can where you would attach a roof rack , we did think of bolting with a nut on the inside but then if we ever needed to change any thing we could never get to the nutts , so we opted with riv nuts
@mtbalot3 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife thanks so much, I was going to buy expensive Ryno rack. My interior is done, so rivnuts or self-tapping sheet metal screws may work? Good job on your van build by the way.
@ReeceCooper19993 жыл бұрын
Do you happen to have links for the brackets and the hinges you used
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
there just fire door hinges from screwfix bud , stainless steel ones
@davido10313 жыл бұрын
Genius well done 👍🏻
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Well I don’t know about genius but good old thinking
@duncansarmy3 жыл бұрын
Boss da la!!
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
cheers fella , thanks for watching mate
@weing10373 жыл бұрын
Neil, can you plrase let me know where did you buy those bolts with the black knob that you tighten the bar that lifted up the panel?
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Are these the ones mate uxcell Clamping Screw Knob, 38mm... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07R48C7LH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
We also use these as well mate Male Thread Adjustable Fixing... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NVN8KGC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
@SweeneyDunston4 жыл бұрын
Im about to die laughing within the first 2 minutes 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
im trying to be serious here , but its just not in me at all ,
@SweeneyDunston4 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife what isnt in you? The knob? Id hope not. 😂
@TheSoilandGreen3 жыл бұрын
Slick
@RadekandtheBush8 ай бұрын
In hindsight, any thoughts if the panels should be tilting towards your camper side door or away?
@UrbanVanlife8 ай бұрын
I’d say lifting them so the actuator has a tilt on it . One thing we didn’t know . But good to show our mess ups so others don’t do it . With a tilt it works perfectly
@BejamVan4 жыл бұрын
Oh my god I laughed so hard at that first bit.. then even more thoughout. Great video mate 👍 love the comedy music too 😅 Zebedee by the way is the name for the channel nut 😉🤣
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
im calling bull on that name bro lol , man i i thought i chatted wham , see this is why we both get on , its an unstable thing most wouldn't understand lol .
@sunnydaze69744 жыл бұрын
Great work yr honour !! A+
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
mr sir thank you thats the first A iv ever had
@AboveGroundLevel.3 жыл бұрын
Hi great idea fitting hinges to the uni struts Do you have a link to them hinges as can not seem to find any that would accommodate a M8 bolt or did you drill out the holes even larger to fit the M8 bolts? Thanks
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Yer we had to drill them out a little mate not much but they did need a slight alteration . There from screw fix
@branchofrelity47462 жыл бұрын
Did you customize the bars yourself?
@UrbanVanlife2 жыл бұрын
Which bars exactly . The ones we used for keeping the solar up we just flattened the ends with a hammer and rounded them off giving us the ability to secure them to the solar .
@leonlane84973 жыл бұрын
Have you got a link for your whole solar set up m8 batteries panels etc
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Yet if you hop into our amazon store you should see every thing we bought in there . But have a good show about tho cos there are allways good deals about . Here is the amazon link www.amazon.co.uk/shop/urbanexplorer
@leonlane84973 жыл бұрын
Cheers pal 👍
@hnklmnglobetrotter61253 жыл бұрын
Excuse me and maybe I missed the question, but at which angle do tilt the panels for a optimal efficiency? Greetings Henk. (NL)
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
it all depends on the season and height of the sun , it can be from 20 to 45 deg , but if you can monitor your solar input you can see how much power your pulling in while tilting them .
@andyjm71224 жыл бұрын
mate that's amazing, how did you make those bars at the end which you used to prop the solar panels up? Or where can I get some?
@UrbanVanlife4 жыл бұрын
it was just some box section i had lie in about mate so i flattened the ends off by beating them to death with a hammer and drilled out our and riv nutted the other , really simple approach to be honest but works perfectly , thanks for watching mate
@andyjm71224 жыл бұрын
@@UrbanVanlife sweet, I'll give it a go! (and I've subscribed!)
@vincent76033 жыл бұрын
Is there a possibility of having the support arms sliding along your existing rail? Think a platform lift
@UrbanVanlife3 жыл бұрын
Yer you could do that and have them on hinges as well . That could easily be done . Hmmmm u got me thinking now